
Second Century Ventures
Description
Second Century Ventures (SCV) is the strategic venture arm of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the largest trade association in the United States. Established to foster innovation within the real estate industry, SCV primarily invests in technology companies that aim to enhance the real estate transaction, improve agent productivity, or provide new solutions for property owners and consumers. Based in Chicago, SCV leverages NAR's vast network and industry expertise to provide portfolio companies with unparalleled access to market insights, mentorship, and distribution channels.
A cornerstone of SCV's investment strategy is the REach® accelerator program. Launched in 2013, REach is a unique program designed to help technology companies scale their solutions specifically for the real estate market. Each year, a select cohort of companies receives a convertible note investment, typically around $100,000, along with intensive mentorship, strategic guidance, and direct access to NAR's extensive member base and industry leaders. This program has successfully graduated over 200 companies to date, many of which have gone on to raise significant follow-on funding and achieve substantial market penetration.
Beyond the REach accelerator, Second Century Ventures also engages in direct investments, targeting more mature companies that align with NAR's strategic objectives. These investments often focus on areas such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, blockchain, and sustainable building technologies, all aimed at shaping the future of real estate. SCV's unique position as an industry-backed venture fund allows it to not only provide capital but also to act as a powerful catalyst for adoption and growth within the real estate ecosystem. Their investments are not just financial; they represent a strategic commitment to driving innovation that benefits real estate professionals and consumers alike.
Investor Profile
Second Century Ventures has backed more than 213 startups, with 3 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 55 rounds, about 26% of its total and boasts 25 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Seed, Series Unknown, Series A rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United States, Australia, Canada.
- Strong thematic focus on Real Estate, Software, SaaS.
- Led 1 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $100K – $1M.
Stage Focus
- Seed (34%)
- Series Unknown (26%)
- Series A (10%)
- Convertible Note (7%)
- Undisclosed (7%)
- Series B (5%)
- Debt Financing (5%)
- Pre Seed (3%)
- Non Equity Assistance (2%)
Country Focus
- United States (77%)
- Australia (7%)
- Canada (6%)
- United Kingdom (3%)
- Ireland (1%)
- Estonia (1%)
- France (1%)
- Singapore (1%)
Industry Focus
- Real Estate
- Software
- Saas
- Fintech
- Financial Services
- Information Technology
- Property Management
- Proptech
- Commercial Real Estate
- Real Estate Investment
Frequently Asked Questions
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